Buying or selling jewelry requires a lot of research and understanding to get what you want or what you need. This makes it difficult to know where to start.
Be cautious about your jewelry storage. Consider delegating each piece to its own resting place, utilizing compartmental boxes and storage units. Don’t throw piles into a box. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
Precious Metals
Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. To keep your jewelry properly protected, store it in a drawstring bag or jewelry box. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Imitations will be attracted to your magnet. This is an easy way to recognize quality. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
When you buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. When selecting jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. You should be able to notice a quality piece by its craftsmanship. The person selling the piece should know its history, including who made it and the source of the stones. You’ll create an heirloom tomorrow if you choose high-quality jewelry today.
Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Many types of jewelry become dulled or tarnished when they are exposed to water. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Costume Jewelry
Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Costume jewelry should be taken care of. A fair amount of costume pieces are set with glue. Costume jewelry should never be immersed or make contact with harsh chemicals. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. This will keep your costume jewelry clean and shiny.
If the person you are shopping for is a unique individual, consider choosing a one-of-a-kind piece crafted specifically for them. This means you have taken the time to think about the gift and make it as personal as possible. Customized jewelery will also help you convey the right message.
You need true expertise to make smart jewelry buying and selling decisions. Use the information you’ve learned in this article to make successful jewelry acquisitions.